WhatsApp Android Update May Bring AI-Powered Call Screening for Unknown Numbers

WhatsApp is working on a new call screening feature for Android that could give users more control over calls from unknown numbers. The feature may ask callers to explain the purpose of their call before notifying the recipient, allowing users to decide whether to answer or ignore it. According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the feature is still under development and has not yet reached beta testers. It was spotted in WhatsApp for Android version 2.26.41.4 on the Google Play Store.

How WhatsApp's New Call Screening Feature May Work

The upcoming feature, called Ask reason for calling, is designed to help users identify the purpose of an incoming call before deciding whether to answer. When an unknown number tries to call, WhatsApp may prompt the caller to explain why they are calling. The app could then generate a written transcript of the caller's response and display it to the recipient.

Users would be able to read the transcript and decide whether the call is worth answering, without having to speak directly to the caller first. This could be particularly useful for people who frequently receive unwanted calls, spam or suspicious calls from unfamiliar numbers.

New Option May Join WhatsApp's Call Filtering Settings

The feature could be integrated into WhatsApp's existing call filtering settings, giving users additional ways to manage incoming calls.

The current options include:

• Never: Allows calls to ring normally, including calls from unknown numbers.
• Silence: Silences calls from unknown numbers while keeping them visible in the Calls tab and notifications.
• Ask reason for calling: The proposed option would ask unknown callers to explain their purpose before alerting the recipient.

The new setting could provide a middle ground between allowing every call to ring and automatically silencing calls from unfamiliar numbers.

WhatsApp May Focus on Privacy With On-Device Processing

Privacy could be an important part of the upcoming feature. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp may process the transcript directly on the user's device rather than sending call recordings to its servers for transcription.

The feature is also expected to use on-device language packs and end-to-end encryption to help protect users' privacy. Users may be able to choose their preferred language for the transcript, potentially making the feature more accessible to people who speak different languages. However, these details are based on information about a feature still in development. WhatsApp has not officially confirmed how the final version will handle audio, transcription or language processing.

If introduced, WhatsApp's call screening feature could offer functionality similar to screening tools available on Google Pixel phones and Apple iPhones. These tools help users understand who is calling or why they are calling before deciding whether to pick up.

Bringing a similar capability directly into WhatsApp could be useful because many people use the app for personal conversations, work and calls with people they do not know. WhatsApp has not announced an official release date, and the feature's design and availability may change during development.

The proposed feature could make it easier to manage unwanted calls without missing important ones from unfamiliar numbers. By showing users why someone is calling before they answer, WhatsApp could help them make more informed decisions and reduce interruptions.

The key takeaway is that WhatsApp may soon offer Android users another way to screen unknown callers before answering. However, the feature remains under development, so users will need to wait for an official announcement to know when it will arrive and exactly how it will work.

Information referenced in this article is from The Digit